Jefferson County man shot in leg after found hiding in ex-girlfriend's basement

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Alabama - A Jefferson County man was shot Wednesday night when authorities say he was found hiding in his ex-girlfriend's basement.

The man's injuries aren't life-threatening, and he is expected to be charged with first-degree burglary, and possibly aggravated stalking and harassment.

Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Seales Road near Bessemer on a domestic violence call. A 32-year-old woman told lawmen she went to her basement to smoke a cigarette and found her ex-boyfriend hiding down there.

She said they have been broken up for months, and that she had a Protection From Abuse order against him. Chief Deputy Randy Christian he was hiding in a corner and surprised her.

"She said she tried to convince him to leave but he attacked her,'' Christian said. "She managed to retrieve a small handgun from her sweater pocket and get off one round, striking him in his left leg."

The 34-year-old man ran from the house and disappeared into a nearby wooded area. Sheriff's deputies used tracking dogs to help find the man.

He was taken into custody about 75 to 100 yards from the scene. He was arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment on his gunshot wound.